Manchester's New Kids take winter awards spotlight Despite mud, schooling show is a success

EQUESTRIAN

January 31, 1993|By MUPHEN WHITNEY

It may have been gray and dreary outside last Sunday, but there was a bright glow in the indoor arena at Gambler's Choice Stable.

The table that held the awards for the New Kids 4-H Winter Horse and Pony Schooling Show glowed brightly from the beautiful high-point medallions earned by the division leaders at this indoor show.

"We try to do things right for the kids," said show organizer Lynda Arnold. "They were so tickled with these medallions that I think we may try to get them for the reserve champions, too, at the next show."

Arnold and 4-H leader Dee Ramonda were aided in their efforts by 4-Hers Gilda and Jemel Hogan, Lori and Tina Cicon, Renata Ramonda, Heather Wilson and Billy and Alicia Cook. The New Kids 4-H group is based in Manchester and has been in existence since 1991.

"The kids worked really hard on this show," Dee Ramonda said. "They are earning money to take a trip to the Science Center."

The one thing that Arnold, Ramonda and their committee could not control for the kids was the weather. The muddy conditions caused several people to leave even before they tried to park their trailers.

"Several people got stuck," Arnold said. "And that discouraged some from even trying to park. There were three divisions that we didn't have enough entries for."

Aside from the mud, however, everything went great at this first in a two-show series.

"Our next show will be Feb. 28, and we're planning on doing everything just the same as we did today," Ramonda said. "Except the weather. We're hoping it will be drier, and maybe even a little sunny."

Results

Leadline Division Champion: Heather Kearney/Simply Sassy.

Short Stirrup Division Champion: Renata Ramonda/Little King Poco.

Schooling Pony Division Champion: Erica Gaertner/Cloudy All Day.

Pleasure Pony Division Champion: Erica Gaertner/ Cloudy All Day.

Open Equitation Class Champion: Emily Franch/Lady Blue.

Schooling Horse Division Champion: Tina Cicon/Destiny's Flurry.

3' Baby Green Division Champion: Vikki

Zentz/Charger.

Olney Farms shows

There are two shows left in Olney Farm's Longjohn Dressage Show series. This series offers Walk-Trot, Training Level, British Horse Society Level C and First Level tests as well as a test of your choice.

Classes are indoors. An outdoor warm-up area is available, and there will be some time allowed for schooling indoors. The only dress requirement is an approved helmet.

Horsemen's party, auction

Tickets for the seventh annual Maryland Horsemen's Party and Blue Ribbon Auction are available for $25 per person from the Maryland Horse Council at (410) 252-2100 or from the Maryland 4-H Foundation at (410) 422-7803.

Proceeds benefit the Sallie Robertson Memorial 4-H Horse Endowment Fund and are used to underwrite youth participation in horse-related activities.